The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-12-24

oNE-MAN POLITICS
The Pitaabls Ceaditioa u the Republics
Party II the Empire State.
A study of the Republican party and
its policy in the State for a year or
more past reveals with startling dis
tinctnsss the power that can be welded
by one bad man In shaping the course
Of party that numbers among its
membership great many men active
in its counsels who are vastly superior
In point of intelligence. integrity and
honor to the winner on the political
checker.board. The fact that this man
occasionally steals man from the
checker-board. and INDUCES in other
discreditable tricks to win does not
seem to imperil his position in the
party or to bring upon him the con.
domination that his vsnal course would
seem to demand. These thoughts are
suggested by q contemplation Of the
com animation of circumstances that
forced the Republican State COMMITTEES
to suit the ends of one man,
that placed Fred D. Grant Al
the head Of the State ticket
in order to quiet him on ac-
count Of his rejection by Republican
Senate for the Office Of Quarantine
Commissioner; that placated and
brought into line an ex-United States
Senator. All this and more has been
accomplished through the shrewd ma
nipulation Of Thomas c. Platt now an
official usuper and an impudent defer
of the State under its constitution BY
holding in opposition to public senti-
ment prominent Office for years be-
yond the time for which he was APP
pointed. To do this he had to own a
Republican Senate. and he owned it.
and used it to defeat Colonel Grant 90
that he might remain in control of the
Quarantine Department In order to
quiet the press and the defeated candi-
dates, he promised Colonel Grant that
he should be placed at the head of the
State ticket In order to deliver the
goods he was compelled to own State
convention. and he owned it and de-
livered the goods; Colonel Grant is the
candidate for Secretary of State, and
when he II defeated. as defeated he
win be. he win Be only one Of TOM
Platt's victims upon the PROSTATE
form of which he viii climb to higher
planes of influence and political power.
These are but means to an end.
While there il much to be gained In
influence. - well - in peh through
holding on 10 the quarantine Office,
Mr.. Plat considers it of minor inn
portanoe only 30 far - it win aid him
to gain control OF the delegation Of
New York In the National convention
OF 1883 This IL only portion Of the
story told in substance by that power
full Republican Journal the New York
Times, paper that does not propose
to be controlled by party policy Al
formulated and represented BY Tom
Pls tt and his satellites Recognizing
the hand Of RIatt in the control Of al
the party gathsringa the Times con-
cludes a. follows:
1T is plain that this il to be Plat
canvass, and that party success this
year means . Plat Legislature and
prestige for Plat a. aleador which will
give him control of the delegation in
the National convention whose prefer
ence win be deemed Of the highest inn
portanoe. It il possible that this ID
what the Republicans Of the State
want, but whether il Is or not it should
be distinctly understood that it il what
10 presented for their acceptance. Il
II possible that the harmony which
prevails among the politicians does
not pervade the rank and file Of the
party. 1t is pretty certain that it will
excite'enthusiasm. There IL NO pretense
that the Republican party, with Plat
ct his head. and with its organisation
subject to his will, can command the
support Of . majority Of the people Of
the State. Its only hope Il in the
Labor party, and the members Of the
latter should realize that the only re-
suit that can be looked for from their
support Of IN independent ticket Is
the triumph Of Plat and Plattism.
Meantime. self-respecting Republic
ans can derive little comfort from the
part they are expected to play in this
campaign. "-Bnfa,o IN. ~ TSnsea
DRIFT OF OPINION.
Fred Grant was never the Napo-
leon Of finance. He was rather the